TMG DraftZone NFL Draft Grades: AFC West

The Denver Broncos moved on from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning, and pulled away from the rest of the AFC West to claim their second straight division title. The Broncos had the best record in the AFC, then let the playoffs slip through their fingers with one poorly timed jump by Rahim Moore in the final minute of regulation against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Playoff game. The Broncos are stil the class of the West, and are reloading for a return trip to the playoffs. San Diego, Oakland and Kansas City all fell on hard times in 2012, and are hoping that off season changes can move them back up to playoff contention. The Chiefs brought in Andy Reid as their new head coach, and with the first overall pick they selected Eric Fisher, the athletic offensive tackle from Central Michigan. Their second round pick went to San Francisco to acquire Alex Smith, and there is enough talent on both sides of the ball in Kansas City to return the Chiefs to their division winning level of 2010. San Diego brought in Mike McCoy to coach, and the Chargers still have Phillip Rivers at quarterback. But the Chargers still have holes to fill, and protecting Rivers has been a concern. D.J. Fluker was taken at #11 to shore up the offensive line, and Manti Te'o looks to be the leader on defense for years to come. The Oakland Raiders continue to cause people to scratch their heads. They traded Carson Palmer for a late round pick, after acquiring him from Cincinnati for a 1st and 2nd round pick. Doing this 10 years down the road is one thing. But this happened two years after Mike Brown fleeced the Raiders. It's tough to build through the draft when you keep trading your top draft picks. This year, the Raiders traded down from #3 to #12 to add a second rounder, and with those two picks they selected D.J. Hayden to play corner and Menelik Watson to play tackle. Hayden is coming back from a near fatal chest injury, and Watson is talented but raw. If they pan out, the Raides will reap the rewards. If not, one has to wonder what is going on with the Silver and Black. So here are the TMG DraftZone 2012 NFL Draft Grades for the AFC West, including key selections and sleeper picks: Denver: B Montee Ball (RB) Kayvon Webster (CB) The Broncos seelcted Sylvester Williams in Round 1, and he can move into the middle of the defensive line right away. If Ball can provide a consistent, healthy running game for Manning then the passing game will be even more dangerous. Champ Bailey probably won't play forever, so Webster might get a chance to prove himself sooner rather than later. Kansas City: B Eric Fisher (T) Nico Johnson (LB) Fisher will eventually be the Chiefs left tackle, and if Brandon Albert keeps pouting about his situation in Kansas City then he might be anchoring the blind side soon. Fisher has all the tools to be a star in the NFL, and I look for him to do just that. Travis Kelce can add another dimension to the offense by teaming with Tony Moeaki to set up a dangerous pass catching two tight tnd set. Knile Davis can give Jamaal Charles a break from all the wear and tear, and Johnson will add to a strong linebacking corps. Oakland: Sio Moore (LB) Tyler Wilson (QB) Hayden and Watson have the talent, but the injury and experience concerns need to be ironed out. Moore is a fast, athletic linebacker and the Raiders need help on defense. It will be interesting to see if Wilson gets a chance to play quarterback. Matt Flynn is first on the depth chart, and Terrelle Pyror is second, but when you have been going through quarterbacks like they are stuck in a revolving door then Wilson might a chance. San Diego: A- D.J. Fluker (T) Keenan Allen (WR) Fluker played right tackle in college, and if the Chargers keep him there he can flourish. If a move is made to the left side, it will be interesting to see if he can handle to change. Te'o is in the nearly perfect setting for him to flourish. Away from the large media markets, and on a team that really needs him to take charge and lead the defense. Allen was a surprise drop to Round 3. He gives Rivers a target on the outside that he has nto had since Vincent Jackson moved to Tampy Bay.

Prelude to Free Agent Feeding Frenzy

The start of the NFL's free agent signing period 'officially' starts tomorrow, and the frenzy to get players has already started. Agents have been able to talk to teams for three days now, so when 4 pm comes around and the deals can be made official, they should start to come fast and furious. But two trades today that were announced will have a huge impact on the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft. The Baltimore Ravens pretty much told Anquan Boldin to stick it, and agreed to trade the wide receiver for what could amount to a cup of coffee in a 6th Round pick. Boldin is entering his 11th season in the NFL, but he is still a very productive receiver who, when on the field with Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, and Frank Gore, is going to give Colin Kaepernick one of the best receiving corps in the game. San Francisco was sitting at #31 and #34, and if they had any thoughts of taking a receiver at that point it's pretty much out the window. What will be interesting to see is what will happen to last year's first round pick in A.J. Jenkins. Jenkins was a non-factor the entire season, and if the 49ers feel that they can sign Boldin for a couple of more seasons without breaking the bank, San Francisco may just try to trade Jenkins and get back that sixth rounder. But with their load of picks still remaining, Jenkins may just find himself a casualty when roster cuts come around. The other big trade that was announced has Percy Harvin going to Seattle for a first round and seventh round pick this year, and a pick next season. The deal is contingent on Harvin passing a physical, but if he gets the all clear the Seahawks will be getting a dynamic playmaker who is a significant upgrade to whoever they may have gotten at #25. Now Minnesota is most certainly going to be taking a wide receiver in the first round. The Vikings went into the off-season looking to add an outside threat to help quarterback Christian Ponder and take some of the load off of Adrian Peterson. Now Ponder doesn't have anyone his most dangerous weapon to throw to, and it will be seen if Minnesota takes not just one but maybe two receivers in Round 1. I believe that Cordarrelle Patterson and Keenan Allen will be off the board by the time Minnesota selects at #23, But if they could pick up the tandem of Tavon Austin and Justin Hunter it will be interesting to see how the Kiddie Korps develops over time for the Vikings. I will be releasing the Post-Start of Free Agency DSA Player Rankings later in the week, and the signings and trades that will be announced starting tomorrow will start to round in to shape what teams will be looking to draft what players in next months 2013 NFL Draft. Let the feeding frenzy begin.